The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1887-05-25
AUNT VERSUS UNCLE.

Twelve o'clock, eh?" said Uuncle Joe,
listening meditatively to the strokes of
the big clock in the corne Midnight
yes, actually midnight, and William
not home yet. Well, it's amazing how
young folks will keep il up when they're
a-courtin' / never was in the business
myself, but I've always heard talk that
it was pretty absorbin sort o thing"
And he rose in a stiff, rheumatic sort of
way TO throw new log on the fire, which
had burned down to mass of glowing
embers.
It's snowin'," said Uncle Joe, glanc-
ing through the tiny panes of the north
window, already banked up on the out
side with erInine-white drifts. Like
wise a-blowin' More than that, it's cold
er than the North Pole, for the water pail
friz in the back kitchen before nine
O'Clock, and the big cedar tree keeps
creakin' as it never does except when
the thermometer runs down pretty nigh
TO zero. / don't know what would lure
me to 90 out on a night like this-but
VIII makes nothing oftrampin four miles
TO Pratts Corners to see thegirl that he's
goin' to marry next week. Well, well
young folks will be young folks, s'pose,
and there's no maxim nothin' else outen,
'em I'm glad | kept the coffee pot hot.
He won't be none the worse for drink
o. good, warm cofiee-and the potatoes
are roasted to I"
So speaking, Uncle Joe uncovered the
ashy nest wherein reposed three or four
nonstrous early rose potatoes in wrin-
kled jackets, and nodded his head toward
cold ham bone on the table, where a
plate and knife and fork were laid, as if
ready for some expected guest.
And presently the guest arrived-Will
Harrow himself, his head and shoulders
powdered with snow, his nose blue with
cold, his eyes sparkling like first-class
pair OF well-matched diamonds.
"Pm sorry to keep you up so late, I'm
Gle joe" he said, cheerily. why on
earth didn't you go to bed ?"
"Well, / couldn't somehow reconcile
myself to the idea of leayin' things" said
Uncle joe Here's some coffee, Will.
And some roasted potatoes that can't be
beat Sit down and eat a bit"
You are always so thoughtful of me,
Uncle joe" said Will Harrow, flingingofi
his snow -sprinkled coat.
You're all I've got to be Thoughtful
Of" said the old man, stroking his chin.
" I've sort o. had you on my mind, viii,
ever since you was baby. And tell
YOU, it comes powerfully hard on me to
give you up to wife now"
"You are jealous, ell ?'' said viii, with
a laugh.
"a little bit, William" nodded Uncle
Joe, scattering salt in the mealy heart of
his potato. 81 amt a-denyin' oft. It's
human nature to get married, ] know
but for all that feel as if was givin'
away my boy to some one elsew
"You and she will get along splendid.
ly," said viii, IL am very sure of
that.'
"Like enough" observed Uncle Joe,
" like enough. | hain't never heard moth
ing but good of Fanny Wallis And she's
got face like posy"
"But that isn't the worst of it, Uncle
Joe said Will Harrow, with rather a
stricken look at the rugged old
face that confronted him on the othersi
of the table. Fanny's Aunt is to live
with u.s.
"Eh =" said Uncle Joe, dropping his
knife and fork, Fanny's aunt. HereT
al don't know where else she is to
live said Will. "A home has got to be
made for her somewhere"
"Is shea widder?" demanded Uncle
Joe, in a sepulchrai whisper.
s'No, single lady"
"Phew whistled Uncle Joe. "An-
old maid As full of cantankerousness,
no doubt, as an egg is of meat Where on
earth do We s'pose there's room enough
for her in thishouser
"well,r suggested Will, there's the
little end room in the wing, looking out
on Cassadee river. There's fire place
in it, and good sized closet for her
gowns and things, and"
William said Uncle Joe, rising TO